Looking Back on the Great Coal Strike of 1902

In the early 1900s, the most widespread method for heating homes was by burning anthracite coal–also known as “hard” coal–which could be found in abundance in Pennsylvania. The coal mining industry employed hundreds of thousands of workers, and by the turn of the twentieth century, many of them had organized into unions, such as the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA), in order to advocate for better wages and working conditions. Despite their popularity, however, most mine operators refused to recognize the unions.

To learn the full history and impact of the Great Coal Strike of 1902, visit my website here.